Coordinator, Special Events

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles seeks a highly organized Coordinator, Special Events. This role manages the departmental inbox, responds to inquiries, and coordinates small internal events from intake through completion, while supporting larger institutional events and external rentals under supervision.

The coordinator collaborates across departments with a focus on hospitality, responsiveness, and operational excellence, reporting to the Director, Special Events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field preferred.
• 1–3 years of event coordination experience, preferably in a museum or venue environment.
• Strong planning, scheduling, and vendor relationship skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate small internal events from intake to closeout.
• Manage departmental inbox, respond to inquiries, and route to managers.
• Provide admin, logistical, and onsite support for larger events.
• Assist with event-day tasks and internal communications.

Skills

Event coordination

Vendor management

Interpersonal communication

Project coordination

Multi-tasking

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality, Business Administration, Marketing, or related field

Job description

ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to illustrated storytelling. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F. Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb; and photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The Museum also houses the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career.

Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the Museum is in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is seeking a highly organized Coordinator, Special Events, reporting to the Director, Special Events. This position manages the Special Events departmental email inbox and initial inquiries, independently coordinates small internal events and activities from intake through completion, and provides administrative and onsite support for larger institutional events and external rentals under the direction of the assigned Event Manager. The Coordinator works collaboratively across Museum departments while maintaining a high standard of hospitality, responsiveness, and operational excellence.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Departmental Inbox & Initial Event Inquiries

• Manage the Special Events departmental email inbox, monitor incoming correspondence, respond promptly to general requests, and ensure messages are organized, tracked, and directed appropriately
• Serve as the first point of contact for inquiries received through the departmental inbox; obtain basic preliminary information such as proposed date, event type, estimated guest count, and contact details, and record inquiries in the designated system
• Promptly hand off qualified external event inquiries to the assigned Special Events Manager, who assumes responsibility for subsequent client communication, site visits, walkthroughs, planning, and production
• Maintain inbox organization, follow-up tracking, and timely routing of general departmental communications; flag urgent or sensitive matters to the Director, Special Events

Small Internal Events & Activities

• Serve as the primary coordinator and sole day-to-day event owner for assigned small internal events and activities, managing each from initial request through planning, execution, and closeout within established guidelines
• Communicate directly with requesting departments to define needs and coordinate room setups, furniture, catering, audiovisual support, signage, staffing, and other required services
• Develop and distribute event schedules, setup instructions, event memos, and operational communications; coordinate directly with Facilities, Security, AV/IT, Visitor Services, Hospitality, and other relevant departments
• Manage onsite setup, event execution, breakdown, and post-event follow-up for assigned small internal events and activities; elevate exceptions, major conflicts, and requests requiring approval

Larger Institutional Events & External Rentals: Event Support

• Provide administrative, logistical, and onsite production support to the Director, Special Events and Special Events Managers for larger institutional events and external rentals. The Director and Managers lead the planning, client relationships, production, and execution of these events
• Assist the Director and Special Events Managers with specifically assigned event-day tasks, guest-facing logistics, and internal communications; do not serve as the event lead or primary client contact
• Prepare and distribute internal event communications and operational information at the direction of the Director or assigned Special Events Manager, using materials they provide. Event Managers retain responsibility for obtaining production schedules, floor plans, COIs, and vendor load-in documentation
• Update assigned internal checklists and relay logistical information to Museum partners as directed by the Director or Special Events Managers
• Provide hands-on assistance during load-in, setup, guest arrival, event execution, and breakdown under the direction of the Director or assigned Special Events Manager
• Support larger events and rentals only in an assigned supporting capacity. Event Managers retain responsibility for client agreements, contracts, payments, site visits, walkthroughs, and rental planning

Departmental Administration & Support

• Maintain accurate inquiry records, internal event files, departmental inbox correspondence, and assigned event updates in accordance with established procedures
• Prepare meeting notes, internal event checklists, event memos, and routine departmental correspondence as assigned
• Uphold Museum standards, policies, and venue requirements; assist with special event assignments as needed
• Follow departmental systems and procedures established by the Project Manager, Special Events and Operations, and provide practical feedback on day-to-day coordination needs

The Coordinator owns the departmental inbox, initial inquiry response and handoff, and assigned small internal events and activities. For larger institutional events and external rentals, the Coordinator provides support only, under the direction of the Director, Special Events, and Special Events Managers, who retain leadership of planning, client relationships, production, and execution. Event Managers own external client relationships after intake, site visits, walkthroughs, agreements, production documentation, and rental logistics.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Analytical Rigor:Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, andidentifyingbest-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, asappropriate, into the decision.

Courageous Communication:Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals.Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible.

Collaborative Excellence:Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences.Identifiesothers' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, andvaluesfeedback from team, peers, and leaders.

Adaptive Resilience:Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity.

Inclusive Interaction:Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered toparticipateand contribute freely.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described below are representative of thoserequiredto successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods,up to 8 hoursper shift.
• Ability to move throughout multiple Museum locations, including galleries, theaters, outdoor spaces, and other public areas.
• Ability tomaintainan active and visible presence while providing exceptional guest service.
• Ability to work in a high-volume, public-facing environment with large groups of guests, including school groups, tours,special events, and peak attendance periods, whilemaintainingprofessionalism, situational awareness, and composure.
• Ability tofrequentlybend, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs as needed.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 25 pounds, including wheelchairs, stanchions, signage, guest service equipment, and other operational materials.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with guests and colleagues in person, by telephone, and over two-way radio.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying environmental conditions.
• Ability tomaintainawareness of guest activity and surrounding conditions whilemonitoringgalleries, queues, and public spaces.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality, Business Administration, Marketing, or related field preferred
• 1–3 years of event coordination experience, preferably within a museum, cultural institution, hospitality, or venue environment
• Well-versed in project coordination skills, including planning, scheduling, and vendor relationships
• A collaborative team player with highly developed interpersonal skills who has the ability to relate to diverse internal and external audiences
• Strong partnership and collaborative style with outstanding communication skills (written, verbal and presentation)
• Self-motivated and highly experienced with multi-tasking
• Hands-on approach with attention to detail, organization, reliability and a get-it-done attitude
• Innovative thinker and pro-active
• Comfortable in transitional situations where there is rapid change and ambiguity
• Takes pride in excellence and has the initiative to keep striving for improvement and learning
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills
• Operates with efficiency per priorities
• Takes pride in excellence and the initiative to keep striving for improvement and learning
• Capacity and organizational ability to excel in a fast-paced, diverse, multi-tasked environment

$23 - $29 an hour

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.

MISSION AND VISION

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to the art of illustrated stories. Our mission is to inspire and connect people through the exploration of visual stories and their influences in society.

VALUES

Our internal and external practices are shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.

People First:

We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what they find emotional in works of art.

Inspired:

We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.

Collaborative:

We believe that nimble thinking and working together yield exponential results.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Narrative Art:

Amplify the social impact of storytelling and illustration.

Community:

Connect to a broad and diverse public.

Operational Excellence:

Create a healthy and durable institution.

All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).